Police in Kebbi State have arrested a 19-year-old woman, Khadija Ibrahim, for allegedly stealing a newborn baby in Zuru Local Government Area of the state.
The state police command spokesperson, Bashir Usman, confirmed the arrest in a statement issued on Sunday.
According to the police, the incident occurred on 23 July 2026, shortly after the baby’s biological mother, Fatima Muhammad, gave birth.
Ibrahim, who is from Rikoto village, allegedly offered to help the new mother by fetching hot water before fleeing with the newborn.
Police said preliminary investigations indicated that Ibrahim had been under social and emotional pressure because she had not had a child, while some of her peers had already given birth.
The suspect allegedly deceived her husband for about nine months by claiming that she was pregnant. After Muhammad gave birth, she allegedly took the newborn and presented the baby to her husband as their child.
The police said Ibrahim was arrested on 14 August following a sustained investigation.
The baby was subsequently recovered and safely reunited with the biological mother.
Ibrahim remains in police custody and is expected to be charged in court after the completion of the investigation, the command said.
The Commissioner of Police, Umar Hadejia, commended the officers involved for what he described as their diligence and professionalism in securing the child’s safe return.
He also reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting children and ensuring that anyone found culpable is brought to justice.
